So I just picked up a set of Volks, they came with Falken Azenis. They were stored inside, stacked, covered and had less than 3000 miles on them when they were stored, and inspecting them they appear to be in perfect shape, no dry rot, no sign of age. When were they stored? 5 years ago. I know that tires have an expiration date but every set of "old" tires I've ever seen show their age. These don't. Should I ditch them?

 

They're just on the edge according to BRMA. They say they shouldn't be put into use past 6 years and should be replaced 10 years from the date of manufacture.


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?techid=138

 

I've had 6 year old tires that were straight up dangerous to drive on. Dangerous as in I almost wrecked my car on numerous occasions due to unexpected loss of traction under normal driving.

If you have tires that were put into storage 5 years ago, odds are they are at least 6 years old. If these tires sat in a climate controlled environment (out of the elements) for all of this time, they might be ok. However if they sat outside, I would not put them on my car.

 

I've seen old dry rotted tires, I know what they look like. I was told they were kept inside an indoor storage unit, covered, not exposed to the sun. If I wasn't told they were as old as they are I would have had no idea based solely on the looks. If they were outside, or showed any sign of dry rotting they'd be in the trash already.


I don't plan to track on them, and the car is coming off the road in about a month anyway for winter, so they'd be on for less than 500 miles of driving. I just don't want excitement about getting new wheels have me end up wrapped around a tree lol.

 

If the tires show cracking due to age and mileage then I'd change them. If they look great, run em. The age specs are there to cover tire manufacturers and to help sell more tires.

 

Try 'em. If the traction is not there, replace them. If they are ok, keep them.

The essential oils in tires are constantly being evaporated from the exposed areas (tread), and are replaced by use in that centripidal force (centrifigal force if you must) flings these oils outward into the tread.

Storing tires in a controlled environment cuts way down on this evaporation. But it still happens.

 

So I threw them on and I'm not dead.

Although they due ride a bit rough, I'm stoked I can use them for a few weeks before packing the car away for the winter.

I'll probably change them next season anyway to not push my luck but they'll get me through Halloween.

 

Look at the DOT number on the side of the tire, that'll tell you exactly when they were made.